News &amp; Features - December 2010

The future home for Abarr Lake Chiropractic and Acupuncture Clinic nears completion Tuesday at 2692 Abarr Drive in Loveland.

WWII veteran Wayne Cunningham

Loveland saddlemaker Dusty Johnson stands in front of some silver saddles in his workshop Wednesday as he holds a martingale that he's restored along with many silver saddles over the years.

The silver saddles Dusty Johnson restores have intricate designs in both the silver and leather that make up the saddle.

Fort Collins resident Lenny Layman paddles around the north end of Lake Loveland Tuesday evening. Layman said he had purchased the new boat recently and was anxious to try it out on the water.

Layla, a blue heeler, gets some attention from her owner Tom Durst as his wife Virginia stands near him Tuesday in their Berthoud home. Virginia is a full time caregiver for her husband Tom who is on full-time dialysis while awaiting a kidney transplant. Layla also keeps a close eye on Tom.

Daniel Probasco, 14, moves their Lego robot back to base while Cody Marvin, 14, left and Patrick Canney, 14, watch druing a practice session on Monday at Walt Clark Middle School. Their team, Knights of the Field Table, will be competing in the First Lego League State Championship on Saturday. Photo by Gabriel Chritsus

Greg Kindred lights a candle in the menorah while Rabbi Yerachmiel Gorelik looks on during Loveland's Menorah lighting on Monday night at Peter Park. Photo by Gabriel Christus

Gil Garcia plays Christmas songs on his trumpet with his band, Touch of Jazz, Sunday morning before service at the First Baptist Church.
Photo by Gabriel Christus

Gil Garcia plays Christmas songs on his trumpet with his band, Touch of Jazz, Sunday morning before service at the First Baptist Church.
Photo by Gabriel Christus

Gil Garcia plays Christmas songs on his trumpet with his band, Touch of Jazz, Sunday morning before service at the First Baptist Church.
Photo by Gabriel Christus

Two-year-old Liam O'Prey, left, holds a candy cane while his twin brother, Aidan, shakes some bells while they and their mom, Kristen, listen to trombone players performing the song Jingle Bells on Saturday during Winter Walk in downtown Loveland.

If the Poudre River Public Library District's request to modify a city ordinance is approved by the Fort Collins City Council the library at 201 N. Peterson St. will be allowed to expand into the space under existing overhangs like this one at the southeast corner of the building.

Poudre River Friends of the Library volunteer Lil Price, left, collects a petition signature from Calvin Dewey outside the main branch of the Fort Collins Library, 201 N. Peterson St., on Friday afternoon. Petitioners hope to pass a city ordinance to allow the library to be expanded down from existing overhangs on the building.

Spectators watch as ice sculptor Steve Mercia uses a chainsaw to carve a snowflake pattern into a block of ice Saturday afternoon at Thompson Pocket Park. Mercia will participate in the Sculpture in the Dark event on Dec. 11-12 in downtown Loveland where five teams are signed up to create massive sculptures out of snow. The event will also include a parade of lights, sleigh rides with Santa and art workshops. Visit http://www.engagingloveland.org for more information.

Gingerbread house on display in downtown Loveland on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2010.

Gingerbread housed built by Mountain View High School students Audrey Johnson and Lindsey Bales, left, and another one built by Stacy Dehart, Mollie Brazille, Josh Hardman and Jane Bashford are displayed Saturday as part of the Gingerbread House Challenge.

Five-year-old Chance Hill looks at gingerbread houses on display Saturday in downtown Loveland as part of the Friends of the Loveland Public Library's second annual Gingerbread House Challenge. The entries were judged and also included in a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the renovation and expansion project of the library.

Five-year-old Chance Hill looks at gingerbread houses on display Saturday in downtown Loveland as part of the Friends of the Loveland Public Library's second annual Gingerbread House Challenge. The entries were judged and also included in a silent auction with proceeds benefiting the renovation and expansion project of the library.

Mountain View High School senior Celena Ealey, 17, writes notes on a study sheet for testtaking during trigonometry class Thursday.

Mountain View High School junior Joel Spreitzer, 17, left, and classmate Chris Miller, 16, work on math problems during trigonometry class Thursday afternoon at the school.

Yoga instructor Amy Norris, right, leads youngsters in a yoga class for kids on Wednesday afternoon in the gymnasium at Ponderosa Elementary School.

Nikki Garshellis, business services coordinator for the City of Loveland, talks with Paul Swenson, founder of Healing Field, in front of a sculpture by George Lundeen during 2010 Congress of Cities & Exposition on Thursday at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. (Photo by Gabriel Christus)

Volunteers wrap select and wrap Christmas gifts Wednesday evening at the Loveland Outlet Mall that will be distributed to needy families through the Santa Cops program. From left are Deanna Sloat, Jill Klinger, 13, Karli Klinger, 15, and Katie Klinger.

Loveland Police Officer Jim Betrus, right, wraps Christmas gifts with his daughter, Kim, left, and wife, Connie, during a volunteer night for police department employees and their families to help out with the Santa Cops program.

Yoga instructor Amy Norris developed a kids yoga kit for children ages 3-11 which includes a 1/4-inch thick yoga mat, a yoga exercise video geared toward children and a water bottle.

Yoga instructor Amy Norris, left, explains the rules to the game musical mat during a yoga class for kids on Wednesday afternoon in the gymnasium at Ponderosa Elementary School. The game is similar to musical chairs, but instead of sitting in a chair when the music stops participants must perform a yoga pose on a mat.